A new study finds that one may be at risk for type 2 diabetes by consuming these tasty everyday foods.
Ultra-processed fried, baked and grilled foods, found in every corner of India, which have become the staple food in most homes in recent years, are a direct reason for the increasing cases. increasing rates of diabetes in the country. experts said Sunday.
India is home to a staggering 101 million people suffering from diabetes. The recent ICMR-NIN Dietary Guidelines for Indians reveal that more than 10 per cent of children between 5 and 19 years are pre-diabetic.
A new study, published in the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, shows that fried, baked and roasted ultra-processed foods are rich in advanced glycation end products (AGEs) that cause inflammation and contribute to several diseases, including diabetes. .
“When we fry or roast food, oxidative stress is produced, which is a promoter of inflammation. Chronic inflammation in the body is linked to diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and even some forms of cancer. Ultra-processed foods and foods high in trans fats are detrimental to health,” diabetologist Dr V Mohan of the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF) in Chennai told IANS. Mohan and his team led the AGE study in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
According to the study, foods rich in AGEs include red meat, fried foods, French fries, fried chicken, bacon, cookies, baked goods, butter, margarine and sugary foods. On the other hand, fruits and vegetables, broccoli, legumes, oats, dairy products, eggs, fish and nuts such as almonds, walnuts, cashews, etc., fall into the category of low-age foods. .
“Our study showed that rich foods at dietary ages were linked to type 2 diabetes and inflammation. Foods low in AGEs were protective against diabetes,” Mohan said.
AGEs are formed through a non-enzymatic process called glycation, where sugar molecules bind to proteins or fats.
This process can lead to the formation of compounds that cause harmful reactions in the body, especially inflammation.
“Fried food means we have excess saturated fat and calories, so naturally it will not be good for us,” said Dr Ambrish Mithal, Chairman and Director, Endocrinology and Diabetes, Max Super Specialty Hospital, Saket, who was not part of the study, told IANS.
“Much of the fried food in India, especially street food, is made from reheated oil. “Reheated oil is very high in trans fats, an important factor in increasing the risk of heart disease and some types of cancer,” he added.
So what about grilled or baked food?
Mithal intuitively said that one might think that grilled food is healthy, but in reality it is not. “Although it is not fried, it exposes the food to high temperatures, which results in the production of certain toxic aromatic carbons in the food, which can be carcinogenic,” the doctor said, while noting that baked foods are not necessarily healthy because most baked foods are rich in carbohydrates.
These foods that are fueling the obesity rate are one of the major causes of diabetes in the country, Mohan told IANS, while urging the government to promote healthy eating habits.
Additionally, the MDRF study showed that “excessive consumption of carbohydrates in the form of white rice or refined wheat is a direct factor in the diabetes epidemic,” Mohan said.
Apart from this, stress, lack of sleep and air pollution are other contributing factors.
“Therefore, government policy should be aimed at encouraging the cultivation and promotion of foods low in AGEs in the diet, especially fruits with a low glycemic index and green leafy vegetables,” said the doctor.
